Histological effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Codiaeum variegatum on the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats

Background: Medicinal plants such as Codiaeum variegatum are recognized therapeutic agents and sources of the drug. The effect of ethanolic extract of C. variegatum was investigated in this study.Materials and Methods: Sixteen adult Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 120 and 180 g were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to four groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 of 4 rats (N = 4) per group. The control (group 1) received 0.1 ml of normal saline, while 2, 3, and 4 experimental groups received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the leaf extract respectively for 2 weeks. They were sacrificed on the 15th day of the experiment; cerebrum was harvested, processed, and stained using the hematoxylin and eosin histological technique.Results: Sections of the cerebrum of the experimental groups showed sparse cellular population, microglia infiltration, focal, and liquefactive necrosis when compared to the control group.Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of C. variegatum elicits an adverse effect on the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats.Keywords: Cerebral cortex, Codiaeum variegatum, liquefaction, microglia, necrosi

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contents, and Probable Health Risks of Some Staple Vegetables in Enugu Metropolis

Heavy metals naturally are non-biodegradable constituents of the earth’s crust that accumulate and persist indefinitely in the ecosystem as a result of both human and natural activities. Their contamination of vegetables remains an issue of public health interest due to the frequency, and quantity of consumption. The over exposure to these heavy metals continues to pose serious health threat globally. This study was aimed to assess the heavy metal contents of staple vegetables [Telfairia occidentalis, Amaranthus hybridus and Ocimum gratissimum] within Enugu metropolis; the leaves were screened for heavy metals [Arsenic As, Lead Pb, Cadmium Cd, Nickel Ni, Chromium Cr and Cobalt Co], by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results (Mean±SD,  mgkg-1 ) showed that Amaranthus hybridus: contained [Pb-0.109±0.350, Cr -0.161±0.004]; Ocimum gratissimum: [Ni-0.179±0.028, Cd-0.033±0.006, Cr-0.176±0.036], and Telfairia occidentalis: [Pb-0.153±0.139, Co-0.198±0.148]; of which some values were slightly above WHO/FAO standards. Although, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were below referenced tolerable daily intakes (TDIs). The hazard quotients (HQs) were below 1 (HQ&lt;1), but As and Cd, were exceptions; while the hazard index (HI) values were all above 1 (HI&gt;1). The slightly above standard references of some of these heavy metals, and HI&gt;1 values in this study are a concern, as potential health risks may arise amidst the population over a period of time, therefore, there is need to eliminate the likely sources of the latent contamination.</jats:p

Putative Role of Monoaminergic Systems in Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects of Naringin in Mice: An Interaction Study with Receptor Antagonists

Aim: Stress-related disorders like depression and anxiety represent one of the greatest therapeutic challenges globally. Although previous studies have revealed the antidepressant-like potentials of naringin, the neurotransmitter receptor interaction mechanisms of action have not been studied, hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the role of neurotransmitter-receptor antagonists in the antidepressant-like effects of naringin in mice.&#x0D; Method: Male Swiss mice were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) apart from mice in the control group. The mice were then pretreated with different neurotransmitter antagonists; metergoline (4 mg /kg i.p.), a 5-HT1 - and 5-HT2 -receptor antagonist; propranolol; (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), β1,2-noradrenoceptor antagonist or haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), D 2 -dopaminergic receptor antagonists prior to the administration of naringin or vehicle (10 mL/kg). The antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects of naringin were evaluated 30 min later using the tail suspension test (TST), open-field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests paradigms.&#x0D; Results: Administration of naringin following CUMS significantly decrease immobility time and locomotion activity in TST and OFT respectively, relative to control while increasing preference to sucrose in SPT, open arm entries as well as time spent in open arm in EPM, relative to control suggesting antidepressant-like property. Pretreatment with metergoline, propranolol, and haloperidol following CUMS increased immobility time in TST, locomotor activity in OFT and IOAA in the EPM. Reduced preference for sucrose in SPT, open arm entry and duration in EPM relative to control (p &lt; 0.05), however, these effects were attenuated by naringin.&#x0D; Conclusion: These findings suggest that the antidepressant-like activity exhibited by naringin might be mediated via interactions with 5-HTergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic receptors, while the anxiolytic effect might involve interaction with both 5-HTergic and noradrenergic receptors.</jats:p

<i>Adansonia digitata</i> L. leaf extract attenuates lead-induced cortical histoarchitectural changes and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of adult male Wistar rats

Abstract Objectives Adansonia digitata L. is popularly known for the management of various neurological diseases in ethno-medicine. Studies have shown that lead toxicity is a possible risk factor for early onset of neurodegenerative disease. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. digitata aqueous leaf extract (ADALE) against lead-induced oxidative stress and histo-architectural changes in the prefrontal cortex of adult Wistar rats. Methods Saline (10 mL/kg), ADALE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and EDTA (55 mg/kg) were pretreated orally 30 min prior to lead acetate (LA) (120 mg/kg) administration to male Wistar rats (n=7) for 21 days. Thereafter, standard biochemical (superoxide dismutate, catalase, glutathionxe and malondialdehyde), histological (H&amp;E) and histochemical assessment (crystyl fast violet stain for nissil substance) were carried out in the prefrontal cortex. Results ADALE significantly (p&lt;0.05) reversed LA-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and oxidized glutathione levels, and decreased malondialdehyde concentration in the prefrontal cortex. Also, the increase chromatolysis and neuronal pyknosis of the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex were significantly attenuated by ADALE. Conclusions The result of this study showed that A. digitata aqueous leaf extract attenuated lead acetate-induced cortical neurodegeneration via inhibition of oxidative stress. </jats:sec

<i>Adansonia digitata</i> L. leaf extract attenuates lead-induced cortical histoarchitectural changes and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of adult male Wistar rats

Abstract Objectives Adansonia digitata L. is popularly known for the management of various neurological diseases in ethno-medicine. Studies have shown that lead toxicity is a possible risk factor for early onset of neurodegenerative disease. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. digitata aqueous leaf extract (ADALE) against lead-induced oxidative stress and histo-architectural changes in the prefrontal cortex of adult Wistar rats. Methods Saline (10 mL/kg), ADALE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and EDTA (55 mg/kg) were pretreated orally 30 min prior to lead acetate (LA) (120 mg/kg) administration to male Wistar rats (n=7) for 21 days. Thereafter, standard biochemical (superoxide dismutate, catalase, glutathionxe and malondialdehyde), histological (H&amp;E) and histochemical assessment (crystyl fast violet stain for nissil substance) were carried out in the prefrontal cortex. Results ADALE significantly (p&lt;0.05) reversed LA-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and oxidized glutathione levels, and decreased malondialdehyde concentration in the prefrontal cortex. Also, the increase chromatolysis and neuronal pyknosis of the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex were significantly attenuated by ADALE. Conclusions The result of this study showed that A. digitata aqueous leaf extract attenuated lead acetate-induced cortical neurodegeneration via inhibition of oxidative stress. </jats:sec